The Healing Solaris Cleric-Chapter 277: Monster Arena (4)

“Who do you think will win?”

“Well, obviously the Black Comet.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. I heard it took seventy soldiers and left two knights seriously wounded just to capture that mutant ogre.”

“W-was it really that bad?”

“Yeah. It’s a powerful one, even among ogres.”

“Then this time...”

“It means the Black Comet might actually lose.”

Hearing the murmurs of the spectators, a subordinate turned to the trade group leader and asked, “What do you think?”

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“It could be difficult. The reason why ogres are called nature’s apex predators. One is their thick skin, which can withstand most attacks, and...”

“The weight class difference.”

The trade group leader nodded at his subordinate’s remark.

All major combat sports in modern society such as boxing, jiu-jitsu, MMA, categorized fighters by weight class. And the reason was simple.

“If the weight class difference is too big, a fight isn’t even a fight.”

If someone was tall, their limbs had a longer reach, and their bone structure was much sturdier. On top of that, greater muscle mass meant they were naturally stronger and faster. In short, weight class differences created an undeniable advantage in a fight. Being taller and heavier—that simple fact often determined the outcome of a match before it even began.

“The officials of Haran City must have known that too.”

“They do, but they matched them up anyway. It’s more thrilling this way. It brings in more money.”

“... Bastards.”

“Right, bastards indeed.”

At that moment, a spectator muttered, “Huh? Wait a minute, isn’t Black Comet limping?”

“Now that you mention it, he is. Why is that? Did he take too much damage in his last fight?”

“No way. He’s never been injured badly enough to limp like that.”

“Damn, this might actually be the first time Black Comet loses. He’s at a disadvantage.”

Just as they said, Black Comet’s condition was not good. His scales had dried out due to malnutrition. The twin scimitars he wielded were chipped and dull, barely capable of scratching the ogre’s thick hide. Meanwhile, his armor was heavily damaged, and his helmet was nowhere to be seen. It was a pitiful sight for someone called a champion.

“And now! The ogre warrior is already itching to tear apart Number 231!”

The announcer’s exaggerated voice rang out, prompting the crowd to wave their arms and roar in excitement.

“Start the match!”

“Get on with it!”

“Kill it!”

The announcer stretched his arms wide, enjoying the heated energy of the audience. Then, once the anticipation had reached its peak, he nodded.

“No need for more words. This could be the greatest match in the history of the Monster Arena! Keep your eyes wide open!”

As the announcer waved his hand, the translucent barrier dividing the arena disappeared.

At the same time, the ogre warrior charged forward with earth-shaking footsteps.

The Black Comet, Blizzard, watched the approaching ogre warrior and attempted to step forward. However, his expression instantly twisted in pain.

My leg...

Strength failed to return to his right leg, the very limb he needed to support his movements. In the end, Blizzard abandoned the idea of stepping away and instead braced himself, waiting for the ogre warrior to close in.

“Krrraaaawr!”

The ogre’s massive club, as large as Blizzard’s own body, came crashing down from above like a guillotine.

Thud!

The club shattered the stone floor of the arena, but Blizzard was nowhere to be seen in the impact zone.

“Krrr...”

Using only his left foot, Blizzard had launched himself aside and was now swiftly pushing himself back up from the ground.

“Kraawr!”

The ogre warrior’s rage-filled eyes did not miss him. It immediately changed direction and charged toward Blizzard.

This time, Blizzard had no time to leap away. Left with no other choice, he drew his twin scimitars. Though well-maintained by his master and free of rust, their chipped edges were beyond repair.

Now.

Blizzard watched the ogre’s attack until the last possible moment, then flexibly lowered his body to avoid it.

“Krraaaawr!”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The club gripped in the ogre warrior’s hands began smashing into the ground.

However, not a single strike managed to even graze Blizzard. Moving as if possessed by a god, he dodged every attack, pivoting on his left leg to let each strike slide past him.

“Wooooooahhh!”

“You’re for sure the best!”

As the audience roared in excitement, Blizzard’s eyes gleamed.

Opportunity.

Then, his twin scimitars shot forward like lightning, slashing at the ogre’s neck.

“There it is! Black Comet’s signature move, Blade Tempest!”

“Yeeeaaaahhh!”

The announcer called out an utterly ridiculous name, but the crowd went wild.

“Black Comet!”

“Black Comet!”

The arena was filled with deafening cheers, but Blizzard couldn’t hear them.

If I don’t finish this now...

Then he would be the one finished.

He unleashed his ultimate attack with that resolve.

But the ogre warrior merely sneered. “Krkr?”

As if merely scratching an itch, the ogre ran its thick fingers along his neck, then threw a punch.

Crunch!

His fist slammed directly into Blizzard’s chest. The sound of scales breaking and shattering bones echoed through the arena as Blizzard’s body was sent flying nearly ten meters backward.

“Aaaaah! He’s airborne! He’s been blown away!”

The announcer's shout rang out, but at the same time, the colosseum's cheers came to an abrupt stop. The only voices left were the gamblers who had bet against Black Comet, cheering for the ogre warrior.

Krrrr...

Blizzard barely clung to his fading consciousness. His vision spun, the world tilting in dizzying swirls, but he didn’t give up.

“Kraawr.”

The ogre warrior, as if preparing to finish the fight, dragged its club along the ground while approaching him.

“Ooh... This is the end of Black Comet, a legend of the Monster Arena,” the announcer said in exaggerated disappointment.

From the colosseum’s perspective, warriors as profitable as Black Comet were rare.

“Get up!”

“Stand up, Black Comet!”

“Damn it, don’t die here!”

Among them were some who hadn’t placed any bets but had simply become genuine fans of Black Comet. As they shouted in unison with all their might, a man above them, in the VIP room, suddenly roared in anger.

“Damn it! What the hell is going on?!” He immediately pointed a furious finger at the knight holding a spear. “You bastard! I told you to go easy, didn’t I?”

“M-my apologies, sir. I thought he would still win even with a penalty of one leg...”

“Do you have any idea how much money we’ll lose if that thing dies?! Starting tomorrow, forget about selling out—we won’t even be able to fill half the seats!”

The enraged middle-aged man was none other than Baron Gordan, the owner of the colosseum and the lord of Haran.

“Ugh, do whatever it takes to keep Black Comet alive! He cannot be allowed to die!”

“Shall we intervene right away...?”

“You idiot! Of course, you need to do it discreetly! Bring a wizard or a priest!”

“Yes, sir!”

Following his orders, the knights hurriedly left the room, while Baron Gordan anxiously bit his nails, staring down at the arena.

***

“Krawr,” the ogre warrior let out a growl as if bidding farewell, then looked down at Blizzard.

A pathetic opponent, writhing on the ground like an insect, struggling to stand.

“Kraaawr!”

Its victory was certain. With a triumphant roar, it raised its massive club high above its head.

As a long shadow stretched over him, Blizzard slowly lifted his head. A giant club filled his entire vision. Staring up at it, Blizzard gently closed his eyes. His body no longer obeyed him.

Master must be so disappointed in me.

When Blizzard resolved to go on his warrior’s journey and parted ways with Kai in Snowy Mountains, he made a vow to himself.

I will never die.

He vowed to never die, to grow stronger, and to return to his master on his own two feet with pride, so that he could stand by his side and serve him. That was the promise Blizzard had sworn to uphold.

During the battle against Aosa, he had realized that he was incapable of protecting Kai. More than anything, he felt deep shame and embarrassment when he came to know that he hadn't been even the slightest help to Kai, as he himself was once the greatest warrior of his tribe. That was why he decided to embark on his warrior’s journey and left Kai’s side.

Descending from Snowy Mountains, he had roamed the continent, hunting countless monsters. He had endured a journey so grueling that even experienced players would have shaken their heads in disbelief.

During those times, the instincts he had honed as the strongest warrior of his tribe gradually resurfaced. When he was hungry, he hunted wild boars. When he needed to sleep, he dug into the ground and made burrows.

And even amidst such a relentless journey, he never forgot his master's command.

“Master... I... have... returned...?”

He had diligently studied human language, always reading the grammar book Kai had given him.

There was a time when he saved a player party on the brink of annihilation and received equipment repairs as a reward. He had also once found a lost child deep in the forest and returned them safely to their parents. Through these experiences, Blizzard grew stronger.

But I guess this is as far as I go.

If he trained just a little longer, he felt like he could have reached a new level. And yet, here he was, captured by humans, about to die in a meaningless battle without honor.

A disgraceful death is the shame of a warrior.

Humiliation surged within him like a tidal wave.

Blizzard reopened his eyes and glared at the ogre warrior. “Krrr, just finish it.”

For a split second, the ogre was overwhelmed by the intensity of that gaze, but it quickly gritted its teeth and swung its club downward.

At that moment, a familiar sensation wrapped around Blizzard’s entire body.

This is...

His eyes widened in shock. Was he imagining it? No. His body was rapidly healing. The broken bones fused back together, and his torn flesh regenerated in an instant. And the holy power enveloping him—there was no doubt...

It’s Master’s power!

He was here. He had come, knowing Blizzard was struggling, to rescue him.

The moment he realized this, Blizzard's eyes blazed with a fierce, piercing light.

"Kraaawr!"

Boom!

The club, carrying overwhelming destructive power, slammed into the ground, sending shattered stones and billowing across the arena.

"Ugh, so much dust."

"D-did it do it?"

"Damn it. Black Comet... I was your fan."

"He was too great a monster—no, warrior—to die like this."

The audience expressed their sorrow.

As time passed, the thick cloud of dust began to settle, revealing the arena once more.

"... Huh?" A spectator suddenly shouted, "He's alive! Black Comet is alive!"

"You bastard, if you’re lying, I swear I'll—wait. He really is!"

Standing tall, Blizzard swept his gaze across the audience with unwavering, determined eyes. The sight brought tears to the eyes of many spectators.

"That creature... He barely found the strength to stand thanks to our cheers... He’s making eye contact with us to show his gratitude!"

"He really knows how to move people."

"Never thought I'd experience something this emotional in the Monster Arena."

Some spectators wiped under their noses and gave a thumbs-up!

Watching this, Baron Gordan clapped and cheered. "This! This is it! Spectators forming an emotional bond with the monster! Hehehe... I can’t wait for tomorrow's profits."

Panting in excitement, he turned to praise the knight who had just returned with the priest.

"Hehehe, well done. You barely did it in time."

"... Pardon?" The knight, who had left to summon the priest, tilted his head in confusion. "Uh... We just arrived, though."

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Baron Gordan blinked in confusion and looked down at the arena. "Then who healed him?"

"H-huh? 231 recovered? How?"

Both men turned their gazes toward the priest.

Feeling awkward, the priest quickly shook his head. "I-I have no idea."

Question marks began to form above the heads of everyone in the VIP section.